Dear Editor,
Quietly and almost imperceptibly, federal legislation affecting
our nation’s schools just became law. Every school district
receiving federal funds must acknowledge Sept. 17 as Constitution
Day, and incorporate some type of activity throughout the
district.
Dear Editor,
Quietly and almost imperceptibly, federal legislation affecting our nation’s schools just became law. Every school district receiving federal funds must acknowledge Sept. 17 as Constitution Day, and incorporate some type of activity throughout the district.
This is a terrific addition to our students’ education, but it is another instance of an unfunded mandate impacting curriculum and a state’s right to provide public education.
To accurately portray the social, economic and political activities of this day, a mock Constitutional Convention based upon historical records would eliminate Latino, Indian, Asian and African-American students as well as all females and students qualifying for free lunches. In a typical social studies high school class of 38, that would leave about eight to 10 students actively engaged while the rest are sunning on the campus green.
In general, our Constitution was developed in secrecy by white, middle and upper class educated males, and yet the original language continues to evolve as our nation struggles through the vagaries of the Bill of Rights where the minority is protected from the possible tyranny of the majority.
Curiously, our federal legislature spends more time debating posting the sectarian Ten Commandments in classrooms rather than debating, posting and teaching the Bill of Rights or the first 10 amendments to our secular Constitution.
Wouldn’t we be better off as a nation, and wouldn’t the founding fathers be supremely satisfied to see that the work they really meant to accomplish 200 years ago in Philadelphia is actually taking place today.
Constitution Day, welcome to your new home.
Dale Morejón, Gilroy
